A new firmware update by Crucial for its M4 series SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs was released last weekend, marked 0009. The new firmware, applicable to Crucial M4 SSD models CT064M4SSD2 (64 GB), CT0128M4SSD2 (128 GB), CT0256M4SSD2 (256 GB), and CT0512M4SSD2 (512 GB), packs a large number of changes. To begin with, the update is said to increase sequential read speeds by 20%. Tests run by SSD Review verify this. PCMark Vantage Disk performance is also increased.

The new firmware also works to increase throughput performance, lower write latency, wider compatibility with latest chipsets (AHCI modes), and fixes various kinds of cold-boot failures. The firmware lowers SATA speed negotiation time with host controllers, resulting in faster boot. Depending on the model, the 0009 firmware update for Crucial M4 series SSDs can be downloaded from here.

by: btarunrA new firmware update by Crucial for its M4 series SATA 6 Gb/s SSDs was released last weekend, marked 0009. The new firmware, applicable to Crucial M4 SSD models CT064M4SSD2 (64 GB), CT0128M4SSD2 (128 GB), CT0256M4SSD2 (256 GB), and CT0512M4SSD2 (512 GB), packs a large number of changes. To begin with, the update is said to increase sequential read speeds by 20%. Tests run by SSD Review verify this. PCMark Vantage Disk performance was also increased.

The new firmware also claims to increase throughput performance, lower write latency, wider compatibility with latest chipsets (AHCI modes), and fixes various kinds of cold-boot failures. The firmware lowers SATA speed negotiation time with host controllers, resulting in faster boot. Depending on the model, the 0009 firmware update for Crucial M4 series SSDs can be downloaded from here.

I showed my dad this and he's going to flash his 64GB M4 tonight, hopefully. Haven't benched the drive at all because I don't know of a safe method to do so for SSDs. Hope it makes as much of a difference as is claimed.

If they had the speed to match sandforce drives, but at a similar or higher failure rate, they would have never gained market share. If they were able to get near 99% reliability with a lower price point, but slightly slower speeds, those who either were afraid of sandforce's failure rates, or had been burned by them would flock to Crucial's drives. They spent the time between release and now to work out the bugs in the firmware for increased speed, and now it's ready. If they would have waited until now, people would have said "ho hum, they're not quite as fast, whatever" but by now they have established a reputation and market share for reliability and performance/price.

by: DanishDevilIf they had the speed to match sandforce drives, but at a similar or higher failure rate, they would have never gained market share. If they were able to get near 99% reliability with a lower price point, but slightly slower speeds, those who either were afraid of sandforce's failure rates, or had been burned by them would flock to Crucial's drives. They spent the time between release and now to work out the bugs in the firmware for increased speed, and now it's ready. If they would have waited until now, people would have said "ho hum, they're not quite as fast, whatever" but by now they have established a reputation and market share for reliability and performance/price.

Sorry for the rant :p

Perhaps, but one could make the argument they have a reputation for being slow .. . . sorry I'm flippant by nature.